Temperature-controlled container with heating means

• US 6,028,293 A
• Filed: 04/20/1998
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tcp Reliable Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tcp Reliable Inc.
• Inventors: Nagle, Robert J., Beldowicz, Edward J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PELHAM, JOSEPH MOORE
• Application Number:
  US09/062,400
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 219/385-387, 219/429, 219/430, 219/432, 219/438, 219/439, 219/441, 219/523, 219/528, 219/530, 219/533, 219/544, 219/543, 219/548, 206/438, 206/521, 206/523, 206/570, 206/586, 206/828, 604/114, 604/291, 607/98, 607/114, 62/457.1, 62/457.2, 62/529
• US Class Current: 219/432
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/02 Preservation of living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0273 Transport containers A01N1/0268 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 1/0284 Temperature processes, i.e. using a designated change in temperature over time
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/18 providing specific environment for contents, e.g. temperature above or below ambient with thermal insulation B65D81/38; ice-boxes with cooling means F25D
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/3816 formed of foam material
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/00 Ohmic-resistance heating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/828 Medicinal content

Abstract

A temperature-controlled container for transporting biologic tissue and human skin is set out wherein an outer insulated container houses a power source, a thermostat means, a heating means, a power source and interior container along with a retention means for holding the sample in place and a lid that interlocks with the open annular area by a T-shaped friction plug. The thermostat means may be a microchip and heating element so that the sample and interior temperature does not vary from a given temperature parameter.

Claims

1. A temperature-controlled container with heating means comprising:

a. an outer container creating an inner chamber;

b. an inner retention chamber retaining a power source and a sample container;

c. a thermostat means in communication with a power source and an on/off means to restrict or provide power from said power source; and

d. a heating means, said heating means in operative communication with said sample container, and said heating means being removably affixed to said sample container.

2. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer container further comprises:

a. at least an upstanding insulated wall;

b. an insulated bottom in communication with said insulated wall forming an inner annular chamber; and

c. an insulated lid means.

3. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 2 wherein said at least an upstanding wall has a plurality of upstanding walls.

4. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 3 wherein said plurality of upstanding walls has radiused edges.

5. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 2 wherein said insulated lid means and said upstanding wall means cooperates to form an interlocking T-shaped friction joint.

6. The temperature-controlled container with heating means, in accordance with claim 1 wherein said outer container is further comprised of a closed cell polymeric material.

7. The temperature-controlled container with heating means, in accordance with claim 6 wherein said closed cell polymeric material is expanded polystyrene.

8. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 7 wherein said closed cell polymeric material is expanded polystyrene having a density of about 2 pounds per cubic foot.

9. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said power source is at least one battery.

10. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said heating means is a heating element of resistance wire in a polymer matrix.

11. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 2 is adapted to be removably affixed to a sample container.

12. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 1 wherein the thermostat is comprised of a solid state device adapted to insure that a constant temperature is preserved.

13. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 12 wherein said thermostat is disposed within the heating coil.

14. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 12 wherein said thermostat is comprised of a micro-chip.

15. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 11 wherein said thermostat is comprised of a bimetallic strip.

16. A heating means in accordance with claim 1 comprising:

a. a power source;

b. a switch means controlling the power source;

c. a thermostat means and a heater with a heating element and polymer matrix.

17. A heating means in accordance with claim 16 further comprising said thermostat means located centrally within said heater.

18. A heating means in accordance with claim 17 further comprising said matrix with a series of heating elements being from 0.001 inches to 0.020 inches in thickness.

19. A heating means in accordance with claim 16 further comprising said matrix being further comprised of a thermoplastic polymer.

20. A heating means in accordance with claim 16 further comprising said matrix being further comprised of a metalized polymer sheet.

21. A thermostat means in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a. a power source;

b. a lead means from said power source to a heating element, said heating element being retained in a polymer matrix; and

c. a second lead means in operative communication with a thermostat means, said thermostat means sensing the temperature ambient thereto and providing power upon the sensing of a specific temperature from said power source to said heating element.

22. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 1 where a retention chamber retains the power source.

23. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 1 adapted to be received in a shipping container.

24. The temperature-controlled container with heating means in accordance with claim 23 where an isolated shock absorbing means is in communication with each corner of said temperature-controlled container with heating means.

25. An isolated shock absorbing means in accordance with claim 23 wherein said isolated shock absorbing means is fashioned from an open cell polymeric foam.